| Maybe it’s because of the way we’re brought | | | | Tilia americana et spp.). It can be used regularly to |
| up, but men try to ignore a lot of the signals our bodies | | | | maintain the smooth inner lining of the blood vessels. |
| send us. We’re taught to ignore pain (including | | | | The French have found the flowers and keel of this |
| hypertension headaches), to appear strong and in | | | | plant help prevent the aggregation of platelets. Linden |
| control at all times and to take life’s | | | | blossom is often combined with hawthorn (Crataegus |
| rough-and-tumble punishments with a stiff upper lip. | | | | spp.) in treating hypertension. The gentle, calming effect |
| Unfortunately, we ourselves often inflict the | | | | of both these herbs teaches the body how to relax. |
| punishment. | | | | Herbal relaxants are also appropriate in cases of |
| High blood pressure can happen when you’re | | | | essential hypertension. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is |
| under stress for a long time. Because you’re | | | | widely used by professional herbalists, usually as a |
| uptight inside, your whole cardiovascular system | | | | tincture (one teaspoon or five ml three times daily). |
| absorbs that tension. Arteries and arterioles become | | | | Herbalists often combine this plant with cramp bark |
| narrower because the sheaths of smooth muscle that | | | | (Viburnum opulus). This remedy is active in relaxing |
| surround them contract and diminish circulation. The | | | | smooth muscle (the tense muscles around the arteries |
| longer the stress goes on, the more permanent a | | | | are unconsciously clenched). Use one teaspoon (five |
| condition this becomes, eventually affecting the whole | | | | ml) of the tincture three times daily. |
| blood-delivery and waste-extraction systems. In terms | | | | It would be wrong to think that any herb alone might |
| of simple hydraulics, the heart (the pump) has to exert | | | | lower blood pressure. Some plants will even raise it. If |
| increased tension (pump harder) to get the same | | | | you have high blood pressure, you should avoid broom |
| amount of fluid through the narrower openings. This | | | | (Carothamnus scoparius) and licorice (Glycirrhiza |
| state, called "hypertension," is easy to ignore until it’s | | | | glabra). The latter can pop up in a number of herbal |
| too late and an aneurysm, stroke or infarction occurs. | | | | teas being marketed as beverages. Check the |
| Blood Pressure Detection | | | | ingredients. |
| High blood pressure is considered a stealthy killer | | | | While herbs can help treat high blood pressure, it |
| because there may be no detectable signs for a long | | | | makes sense to prevent high blood pressure in the |
| time. It’s usually unnoticed unless you’re systolic | | | | first place. Exercise, eat healthy foods, take time |
| and diastolic readings are taken regularly using a | | | | out-and enjoy it. Make peace with yourself. Now sit |
| sphygmomanometer–the cuff and mercury | | | | back, have a cup of linden tea and listen to your |
| "barometer" the doctor puts around your biceps. The | | | | arteries purr. |
| first reading is the pressure of your heart when it’s | | | | Heart-Healthy Food Choices |
| pumping. The second is the strength of the after-wave | | | | The foods you eat play an important role in how your |
| of blood flowing through the system when the heart is | | | | body deals with both high blood pressure and stress. |
| at rest. The ratio between the two readings tells a lot | | | | One of the main reasons for high blood pressure is the |
| about how your heart is functioning. | | | | consumption of too much saturated fat from animal |
| So what is "normal" blood pressure? If you’re a | | | | sources and trans-fatty acids from artificially hardened |
| peak performance athlete about 18 years of age, | | | | vegetable fats such as shortening and margarine, as |
| normal may be 115/75. But as we get older, a higher | | | | well as refined vegetable oils. Sweet foods, overly |
| reading such as 140/90 is acceptable. However, once | | | | salted foods and insufficient fibre also contribute to |
| it rises above that, you’re probably registering too | | | | high blood pressure. |
| much pressure on the system. | | | | Fresh, raw vegetables and fruits should prevail in a diet |
| The cause of high blood pressure varies with different | | | | to control high blood pressure. Soy beans, potatoes |
| individuals. The orthodox medical profession usually | | | | and nuts are highly superior to animal meat as a |
| blames "essential" hypertension on stress from work, | | | | protein source. Potassium lowers blood pressure by |
| relationships, children, debts and parents–you name | | | | reducing blood-vessel constriction and helps alleviate |
| it. However, these states of stress can be prevented. | | | | stress by supporting the adrenal glands. Potassium-rich |
| A Preventive Lifestyle | | | | foods include apples, asparagus, avocados, cabbage, |
| One of the best antidotes to stress is exercise. | | | | corn, tomatoes, bananas, oranges, grapefruit, prunes |
| Practitioners of tai chi claim that the regular practice of | | | | and raisins. High blood pressure has been linked to |
| their art definitely lowers blood pressure. Cycling, | | | | calcium and magnesium deficiency. Green, leafy |
| swimming and walking are other fitness suggestions. It | | | | vegetables are rich in calcium; almonds and cashews |
| is ideal to get 20 minutes of "out-of-breath" exercise | | | | are excellent sources of magnesium. Nuts and seeds |
| each day. | | | | should also be eaten daily as a source of essential |
| Cigarette smoking is not a good idea. Most medical | | | | fatty acids, which produce hormone-like substances |
| research associates smoking with damage to the | | | | called prostaglandins that expand the veins and |
| cardiovascular system. Of course there are stories | | | | arteries. Foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, |
| about guys who smoked until they were climbing into | | | | green vegetables and eggs, help build resistance to |
| the coffin at 98 years of age! But there are a lot more | | | | stress. |
| stories about smokers who had massive | | | | There have been several reputable studies lately that |
| cardiovascular problems at young ages and who are | | | | indicate that a little wine or beer is good for the |
| no longer able to lead productive lives. | | | | cardiovascular system. The Mediterranean diet is very |
| Find out what really relaxes you and make it a daily | | | | healthy for the heart. Mediterranean cuisine embraces |
| routine. Even watching an old movie, getting away to | | | | wine, olives and garlic, avoids fatty meats and is |
| the country or taking up drawing or painting might be | | | | endlessly inventive with fresh green salads |
| helpful. Also consider taking other positive steps to | | | | interspersed with bitter leaves of chicory and endive, |
| eliminate stress, such as simplifying your life. | | | | along with sweet fruits such as oranges. Garlic is |
| Once diagnosed with high blood pressure, the first thing | | | | hypertensive, or lowers blood pressure. If you value |
| you have to do is slow yourself down. Faithfully take a | | | | your social life, you might want to take odourless garlic |
| day off every week. Switch from coffee to herbal | | | | supplements available from health food stores. On the |
| teas such as camomile and peppermint. If you have a | | | | other hand, if you start feeding your friends pesto, they |
| big caffeine dependency, try weaning yourself with | | | | won't even notice! |
| green tea. | | | | Visit for more information and try this natural, safe |
| There are other appropriate herbal teas. One of the | | | | supplement to provide high blood pressure relief quickly |
| finest and best tasting is linden blossom (lime flower or | | | | while gaining health benefits as well. |